First Minister to address business leaders in Dublin

Published:27 Nov 2016 00:01

Strengthening economic ties between Scotland and Ireland.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will invite Ireland’s business leaders to come to Scotland and see for themselves what the country has to offer as a place to invest when she addresses top CEOs during a visit to Dublin next week. (Monday 28 November)

She will stress that “Scotland is open for business” and make clear the importance to the Scottish economy of being members of the European Single Market of 500 million people.

Ms Sturgeon will visit SSE’s Dublin headquarters to hear about their success in Ireland and host a meeting with nearly 120 chief executives and business leaders at Irish business organisation Ibec. She will host the event with Ibec chief executive Danny McCoy and take part in a Q&A.

The First Minister will also visit the Scottish Government’s Investment and Innovation Hub for the first time. The hub was set up nearly a year ago and is working on high-value economic, academic and innovation partnerships between Scotland and Ireland.

Ms Sturgeon said:

“The business, academic, cultural and political links between Scotland and Ireland are well established and we want to strengthen these even further.

“Scottish exports to Ireland are worth £1.125 billion and Irish investment into Scotland currently supports more than 6,000 jobs.

“It’s important to get across to our European partners, such as Ireland, that Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU and that we are doing everything we can to protect our relationship with Europe.

“I want companies in Ireland to know that Scotland remains open for business and will continue to be an attractive place to invest. I will be asking the delegates at Ibec to work with the Hub and to come to Scotland to see what we have to offer.

“A number of new Scottish investment wins have been landed this year and through the strong network the hub continues to develop with Irish-based investors, further projects are in the pipeline.

“Ireland has always been and will continue to be a key economic partner for Scotland. It is even more important than ever that our two countries work together for the benefit of both our nations.”

Other hubs will be set up in London and across Europe to enhance the Scottish Government’s current presence and build relationships.